![]() ![]() After all, there are countless reasons that may cause you to "hate your life," and many of these factors are external-like toxic friends, the city you live in, etc. If you find you are still dissatisfied with life after altering your thought patterns and behaviors, it’s time to make a plan. However, “if this is the route you take, be sure you do not simply avoid your problems to tend to the problems of someone else.” The latter will only cause you further discomfort. Why? Because “doing so takes the focus off what's wrong in your world and allows you to be a part of a solution to another problem,” Jackson says. Practice gratitude.Īnother way to improve your outlook on life is to volunteer or help someone else. “Being around folks who enjoy immersing themselves in life can be contagious and give you a greater sense of belonging and purpose.” Not sure where to start? You can try one of these friend-finding apps which will pair you with people who share similar hobbies, or consider a social networking group or meetup. “If there’s something that’s always interested you, that you haven’t taken the time to pursue-whether its traveling, mountain biking, cooking, or education-find others who are passionate about those things, and do it,” Nina Rifkind, a licensed clinical social work and anxiety, phobia, and OCD specialist at Wellspring Counseling, LLC, says. However, the happiest individuals are the ones who, somehow, practice self-care. ![]() While everyone should do something that brings them joy on a daily basis, most of us don’t. Make a list of successes or achievements and celebrate them-daily affirmations are handy here-and avoid situations which trigger comparative thinking, like social media. Instead, focus your attention on yourself and what you are good at. It is also an extremely discouraging habit. Comparing yourself to others can stall progress and set you up for failure. They say comparison is the thief of joy, and for good reason. “But if you can say ‘just because things are not going well for me right now doesn't mean I am a failure, it just means I need to make some changes in my life, so I can be happier,’ you’ll be better off.” Avoid comparative thinking. “If you think, ‘I am a failure,' you will feel anger and sadness,” Marchena says. The latter is a statement of current feelings or behaviors, not an ultimate destination or claim that can’t be altered.” And Marchena agrees. “For example, when someone says, ‘I’m depressed,’ it would be better for them to say, ‘I’m feeling depressed.’ The first is a final statement, a declaration. For that reason, Flippen suggests reframing your thoughts and changing your language. ![]() “What we think and say can have harmful effects on us, if we're not careful,” psychotherapist Flip Flippen says. Most people have an inner critic: a little voice in their head that tells them they are not good enough, smart enough, or doing enough-and that voice can cause considerable damage. Remove negative talk and change your phrasing. “Taking time to pause, sit in silence, and reflect will help you process your feelings and thoughts.” You can also try writing, journaling, or confiding in a trusted loved one or friend. For that reason, Marchena suggests practicing mindfulness or meditating before making any life altering decisions. Situations and circumstances become clearer with time and distance. They say hindsight is 20/20, and for most, the age old adage is true. So “before taking any drastic measures, assess how much balance you have in these various areas of your life,” Catherine Jackson, a licensed clinical psychologist in Chicago, says-and “make changes to your sleep, eating, exercise, or social life as needed.” Step back, pause, and reflect on your circumstances. everyone knows the importance of eating healthily, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep, when it comes to improving your life and/or mood, these factors are often overlooked. While certain baseline behaviors may seem obvious, i.e. Following these steps can help you remove obstacles, alter your perception, and ideally, make you hate your life less. ![]()
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